Contaminated Sediments Program

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Preliminary Investigation Of The Extent And Effects Of Sediment Contamination In White Lake, MI

White Lake is a 2,571 acre, drowned-rivermouth lake located on the eastern
shore of Lake Michigan in Muskegon County. White Lake was designated an Area of Concern
(AOC) in 1985 by the International Joint Commission because of historical discharges of
heavy metals and organic chemicals. Recent and historical studies have indicated extensive
contamination of sediments in White Lake. Elevated levels of chromium, lead, arsenic, and
mercury were detected in the northeastern section of the lake in 1982. The current extent
of sediment contamination in the area near Tannery Bay is unknown with respect to spatial
and vertical distribution. Since previous studies have focused only on chemical
contamination, the ecological effects of the heavy metal contamination have not been
evaluated.

The objectivesof this investigation
were to define the ecological effects of the heavy metal contamination in Tannery Bay and
to conduct a preliminary assessment of heavy metal contamination in eastern White Lake.